2026-01-25
After a debut with mixed feelings at the start of the championship, Platense rescued a draw against Victoria that left more reflections than celebrations.
Coach Raúl Cáceres analyzed his team’s performance, valued the effort of his players and was self-critical with the shortcomings shown
Likewise, he revealed the adaptation process of the reinforcements, making it clear that the Shark is still in the construction phase, but with the conviction that the team will recover its football identity as the days go by. Finally, he sent a message to Motagua that he will seek revenge for last season’s 4-0 defeat.
STATEMENTS BY RAÚL CÁCERES
THE RESULT OF THE MATCH AND THE EFFORT OF THE NEW SIGNINGS
I think the result is fair, considering the process of the match. Victoria was better in the first half, offensively, and the defensive effort they made in the second half. We were obliged in the first part, especially in the generation of play, and that is football.
In relation to the boys who arrived, although I know their potential and their characteristics, the work of partnership is missing, which is what should prevail in Platense. It would be rude of me not to appreciate the effort they made trying to play in an associative way, but I do think that full knowledge is needed between them. There were times when Platense played like clockwork and now he doesn’t; we have to start again. The time did not fit us to find those spaces or those moments in which the player trusts his teammate and himself. Let’s hope that as the days go by we will see this improvement.
How far will this Platense go in the championship?
It’s too early to say. To say now that we played a great game would be a fraud, but I do value the boys’ efforts. They left emotionally touched because we knew we could give more. I am completely sure that it will fit this Platense. There is going to be a change, we are going to find the dynamic and offensive game that we want to see.
I can neither throw away the bells nor lie down to die. It is a start to the tournament that did not go as we wanted, but we added a point. We had three clear scoring opportunities and we didn’t convert them. That full knowledge is missing within the group.
THE PHYSICAL STATE OF THE NEW SIGNINGS
About Joel Castillo, almost a year without playing; Flores, six months inactive; Carlos Castellanos training on his own; Yafet Núñez without continuity; other players with little participation. We have gone backwards, yes, but only by adding minutes will we find balance. I value the dedication and effort. In the future we will see the best version of each one.
REMBRANDT FLORES’ OVERWEIGHT AND THE MESSAGE TO MOTAGUA
Regarding Rembrandt Flores, he is an offensive player, but he arrived with 23 extra pounds and he is not used to that. That is why his participation is still poor for what we expect from him. When his physical condition improves, we will see better things.
Motagua is surely thinking about revenge for the 4-0, but that’s the beauty of football: you have to play it. Platense is not afraid of going to the Nacional. We go with a positive mentality and hunger to win. That is my responsibility and that of the coaching staff to instill it.
THE LITTLE ABSENCE OF THE FANS IN MORAZÁN
Of course, the low presence of fans affected us. Ten or twenty Victoria fans were making their presence felt in an empty stadium. Of course we resent that. Platense needs the platensista, it needs the porteño. I hope they can turn the page and understand that their beloved Shark fights heroically every day on the field.
